These guidelines will assist you in using the Campus 800 MHz system efficiently and courteously.

Messages should always be kept short and to the point. Remember that there are many others on campus that share the system.

When you use the two-way radios, remember that you should pronounce your words clearly and slowly, speak in a normal tone of voice, and keep your mouth within a reasonable distance from the microphone. If you speak too loudly or too close to the microphone, your voice could become distorted and hard to understand. If it is imperative that you use a radio for a long transmission, you should break it up into shorter intervals. This would allow the receiving station to verify that the message has been received, as well as allowing others into the system who may have important messages to transmit.

Remember to choose your words carefully. Use words that can be understood correctly the first time, thereby avoiding repetition. Some examples:

Poor Choice

Preferred

Wait

Stand by

Can't

Unable

Send

Forward or Dispatch

Get

Obtain

No

Negative

Yes

Affirmative

Do not use slang. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) strictly forbids the use of obscenities. All messages should be impersonal. The FCC forbids use of the first name, nicknames, and messages not involving University business. Other University departments and private citizens monitor the radio frequencies, so it is imperative that appropriate language be used at all times.

Rebroadcasting radio traffic from another radio station is a violation of federal law, and is expressly forbidden by the FCC.

If the University should get reported to the FCC for the misuse of the frequencies, the University could be fined between $25,000 and $75,000, depending on what was determined during the investigation. Disciplinary action could also be taken.

When operating the radio, remember to hold down the push-to-talk button BEFORE you begin to talk, otherwise some of your message may not get through.

Use of two-way radios should follow a strict protocol so that all parties know when a transmission is ended. Call conventions are:

To call another unit: "(Section\Dept.) this is (Section\Dept.)"

To acknowledge a call: "(Section \Dept) this is (Section\Dept.). Go ahead."

To end each transmission: "(Section \Dept). Over."

To terminate a call: "(Section \Dept). Clear."

To acknowledge a termination: "(Section \Dept). Clear."

Two-Way Radio Recharging Guidelines

The radio and the spare battery should not be left in the charging unit continuously. Rotating the spare battery with the active battery is recommended.

The batteries lose about 5% of their charge every day even if not in use, so it is a good idea to recharge the radio and the spare every two weeks to ensure that the batteries are fully charged.